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By Patrick D. Rosso, Town Correspondent

Improvements to the Dorchester Heights National Historic Monument site in South Boston are expected to get underway this week, Boston National Historical Park Superintendent Cassius Cash announced Monday.

An estimated $240,000 in upgrades, including the replacement of the lights and fixtures that illuminate the historic monument at night, will be made to the approximately 4.2-acre park.

“We expect the new lighting on the monument will improve public safety in the neighborhood after dark,” Cash said in a statement. “The lighting, which will wash the monument evenly on all sides, will celebrate this historic icon and help it reclaim its rightful place in the Boston skyline.”

Additional improvements to the surrounding site include a new water fountain, additional lighting, new bollards at the north and south entrances, and updates to the irrigation system.

The trees that line the main walkway will be replaced with a double row of disease-resistant American elms in addition to some trees along the adjacent walkways. Overall 16 new trees will be added to the site and eight will be removed. The new trees, however, will not be planted until October to allow for the preparation of the soil.

“These improvements will benefit the environment and the South Boston community for many years to come,” Cash said in a statement.

The site will remain open during construction, which will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The project’s contractor is Cornerstone Construction Services based in Reading, according to the National Parks Service.

The white marble Georgian-revival tower that stands at the top of the park was dedicated March 17, 1902 to honor the significance of the parcel during the American Revolutionary War.